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Herz M, Zarowiecki M, Wessels L, Pätzel K, Herrmann R, Braun C, Holroyd N, Huckvale T, Bergmann M, Spiliotis M, Koziol U, Berriman M, Brehm K. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of Echinococcus multilocularis larvae and germinative cell cultures reveals genes involved in parasite stem cell function. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1335946. [PMID: 38333034 PMCID: PMC10850878 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1335946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The lethal zoonosis alveolar echinococcosis is caused by tumour-like growth of the metacestode stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis within host organs. We previously demonstrated that metacestode proliferation is exclusively driven by somatic stem cells (germinative cells), which are the only mitotically active parasite cells that give rise to all differentiated cell types. The Echinococcus gene repertoire required for germinative cell maintenance and differentiation has not been characterised so far. We herein carried out Illumina sequencing on cDNA from Echinococcus metacestode vesicles, from metacestode tissue depleted of germinative cells, and from Echinococcus primary cell cultures. We identified a set of ~1,180 genes associated with germinative cells, which contained numerous known stem cell markers alongside genes involved in replication, cell cycle regulation, mitosis, meiosis, epigenetic modification, and nucleotide metabolism. Interestingly, we also identified 44 stem cell associated transcription factors that are likely involved in regulating germinative cell differentiation and/or pluripotency. By in situ hybridization and pulse-chase experiments, we also found a new general Echinococcus stem cell marker, EmCIP2Ah, and we provide evidence implying the presence of a slow cycling stem cell sub-population expressing the extracellular matrix factor Emkal1. RNA-Seq analyses on primary cell cultures revealed that metacestode-derived Echinococcus stem cells display an expanded differentiation capability and do not only form differentiated cell types of the metacestode, but also cells expressing genes specific for protoscoleces, adult worms, and oncospheres, including an ortholog of the schistosome praziquantel target, EmTRPMPZQ. Finally, we show that primary cell cultures contain a cell population expressing an ortholog of the tumour necrosis factor α receptor family and that mammalian TNFα accelerates the development of metacestode vesicles from germinative cells. Taken together, our analyses provide a robust and comprehensive characterization of the Echinococcus germinative cell transcriptome, demonstrate expanded differentiation capability of metacestode derived stem cells, and underscore the potential of primary germinative cell cultures to investigate developmental processes of the parasite. These data are relevant for studies into the role of Echinococcus stem cells in parasite development and will facilitate the design of anti-parasitic drugs that specifically act on the parasite germinative cell compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Herz
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Leonie Wessels
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Pätzel
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ruth Herrmann
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christiane Braun
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nancy Holroyd
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Huckvale
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Monika Bergmann
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Spiliotis
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Uriel Koziol
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Parasite Genomics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus Brehm
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Schiedel M, McArdle DJB, Padalino G, Chan AKN, Forde-Thomas J, McDonough M, Whiteland H, Beckmann M, Cookson R, Hoffmann KF, Conway SJ. Small Molecule Ligands of the BET-like Bromodomain, SmBRD3, Affect Schistosoma mansoni Survival, Oviposition, and Development. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15801-15822. [PMID: 38048437 PMCID: PMC10726355 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a disease affecting >200 million people worldwide, but its treatment relies on a single agent, praziquantel. To investigate new avenues for schistosomiasis control, we have conducted the first systematic analysis of bromodomain-containing proteins (BCPs) in a causative species, Schistosoma mansoni. Having identified 29 putative bromodomains (BRDs) in 22 S. mansoni proteins, we selected SmBRD3, a tandem BRD-containing BCP that shows high similarity to the human bromodomain and extra terminal domain (BET) family, for further studies. Screening 697 small molecules identified the human BET BRD inhibitor I-BET726 as a ligand for SmBRD3. An X-ray crystal structure of I-BET726 bound to the second BRD of SmBRD3 [SmBRD3(2)] enabled rational design of a quinoline-based ligand (15) with an ITC Kd = 364 ± 26.3 nM for SmBRD3(2). The ethyl ester pro-drug of compound 15 (compound 22) shows substantial effects on sexually immature larval schistosomula, sexually mature adult worms, and snail-infective miracidia in ex vivo assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Schiedel
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Darius J. B. McArdle
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Gilda Padalino
- The
Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth
University, Wales SY23 3DA, U.K.
| | - Anthony K. N. Chan
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | | | - Michael McDonough
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Helen Whiteland
- The
Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth
University, Wales SY23 3DA, U.K.
| | - Manfred Beckmann
- The
Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth
University, Wales SY23 3DA, U.K.
| | - Rosa Cookson
- GlaxoSmithKline
R&D, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- The
Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth
University, Wales SY23 3DA, U.K.
| | - Stuart J. Conway
- Department
of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of California Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, P.O. Box 951569, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
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3
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Du X, McManus DP, French JD, Sivakumaran H, Johnston RL, Kondrashova O, Fogarty CE, Jones MK, You H. Lentiviral Transduction-based CRISPR/Cas9 Editing of Schistosoma mansoni Acetylcholinesterase. Curr Genomics 2023; 24:155-170. [PMID: 38178986 PMCID: PMC10761339 DOI: 10.2174/1389202924666230823094608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies on CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in Schistosoma mansoni have shed new light on the study and control of this parasitic helminth. However, the gene editing efficiency in this parasite is modest. Methods To improve the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in schistosomes, we used lentivirus, which has been effectively used for gene editing in mammalian cells, to deliver plasmid DNA encoding Cas9 nuclease, a sgRNA targeting acetylcholinesterase (SmAChE) and a mCherry fluorescence marker into schistosomes. Results MCherry fluorescence was observed in transduced eggs, schistosomula, and adult worms, indicating that the CRISPR components had been delivered into these parasite stages by lentivirus. In addition, clearly changed phenotypes were observed in SmAChE-edited parasites, including decreased SmAChE activity, reduced hatching ability of edited eggs, and altered behavior of miracidia hatched from edited eggs. Next-generation sequencing analysis demonstrated that the lentiviral transduction-based CRISPR/Cas9 gene modifications in SmAChE-edited schistosomes were homology-directed repair predominant but with much lower efficiency than that obtained using electroporation (data previously published by our laboratory) for the delivery of CRISPR components. Conclusion Taken together, electroporation is more efficient than lentiviral transduction in the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 into schistosomes for programmed genome editing. The exploration of tactics for enhancing CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing provides the basis for the future improvement of programmed genome editing in S. mansoni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Du
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Juliet D. French
- Cancer Research Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Haran Sivakumaran
- Cancer Research Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rebecca L. Johnston
- Cancer Research Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Olga Kondrashova
- Cancer Research Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Conor E. Fogarty
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Malcolm K. Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hong You
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
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Buddenborg SK, Lu Z, Sankaranarayan G, Doyle SR, Berriman M. The stage- and sex-specific transcriptome of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. Sci Data 2023; 10:775. [PMID: 37935722 PMCID: PMC10630280 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02674-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The flatworm Schistosoma mansoni is an important but neglected pathogen that causes the disease schistosomiasis in millions of people worldwide. The parasite has a complex life cycle, undergoing sexual reproduction in a mammalian host and asexual replication in a snail host. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that the parasite uses to transition between hosts and develop into dimorphic reproductively competent adults may reveal new strategies for control. We present the first comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of S. mansoni, from eggs to sexually naïve worms. Focusing on eight life stages spanning free-living water-borne and parasitic stages from both intermediate and definitive hosts, we have generated deep RNA-seq data for five replicates per group for a total of 75 data sets. The data were produced using a single approach to increase the accuracy of stage-to-stage comparisons and made accessible via a user-friendly tool to visualise and explore gene expression ( https://lifecycle.schisto.xyz/ ). These data are valuable for understanding the biology and sex-specific development of schistosomes and the interpretation of complementary genomic and functional genetics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, Hinxton, UK
| | | | - Stephen R Doyle
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, Hinxton, UK
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, Hinxton, UK.
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
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Azevedo CM, Meira CS, da Silva JW, Moura DMN, de Oliveira SA, da Costa CJ, Santos EDS, Soares MBP. Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products in the Treatment of Schistosomiasis. Molecules 2023; 28:6807. [PMID: 37836650 PMCID: PMC10574020 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that 250 million people worldwide are affected by schistosomiasis. Disease transmission is related to the poor sanitation and hygiene habits that affect residents of impoverished regions in tropical and subtropical countries. The main species responsible for causing disease in humans are Schistosoma Mansoni, S. japonicum, and S. haematobium, each with different geographic distributions. Praziquantel is the drug predominantly used to treat this disease, which offers low effectiveness against immature and juvenile parasite forms. In addition, reports of drug resistance prompt the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Natural products represent an important source of new compounds, especially those obtained from plant sources. This review compiles data from several in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating various compounds and essential oils derived from plants with cercaricidal and molluscicidal activities against both juvenile and adult forms of the parasite. Finally, this review provides an important discussion on recent advances in molecular and computational tools deemed fundamental for more rapid and effective screening of new compounds, allowing for the optimization of time and resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carine Machado Azevedo
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, Brazil; (C.M.A.); (C.S.M.)
| | - Cássio Santana Meira
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, Brazil; (C.M.A.); (C.S.M.)
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (J.W.d.S.); (E.d.S.S.)
| | - Jaqueline Wang da Silva
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (J.W.d.S.); (E.d.S.S.)
| | - Danielle Maria Nascimento Moura
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IAM-FIOCRUZ/PE), Recife 50740-465, Brazil; (D.M.N.M.); (S.A.d.O.); (C.J.d.C.)
| | - Sheilla Andrade de Oliveira
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IAM-FIOCRUZ/PE), Recife 50740-465, Brazil; (D.M.N.M.); (S.A.d.O.); (C.J.d.C.)
| | - Cícero Jádson da Costa
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IAM-FIOCRUZ/PE), Recife 50740-465, Brazil; (D.M.N.M.); (S.A.d.O.); (C.J.d.C.)
| | - Emanuelle de Souza Santos
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (J.W.d.S.); (E.d.S.S.)
| | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IGM-FIOCRUZ/BA), Salvador 40296-710, Brazil; (C.M.A.); (C.S.M.)
- SENAI Institute of Innovation in Health Advanced Systems (CIMATEC ISI SAS), University Center SENAI/CIMATEC, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil; (J.W.d.S.); (E.d.S.S.)
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6
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Atopkin DM, Semenchenko AA, Solodovnik DA, Ivashko YI. A report on the complete mitochondrial genome of the trematode Azygia robusta Odhner, 1911, its new definitive host from the Russian Far East, and unexpected phylogeny of Azygiidae within Digenea, as inferred from mitogenome sequences. J Helminthol 2023; 97:e69. [PMID: 37655787 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x23000500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
New data on the complete mitochondrial genome of Azygia robusta (Azygiidae) were obtained by the next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of A. robusta had a length of 13 857 bp and included 12 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and two non-coding regions. The nucleotide sequences of the complete mitochondrial genomes of two A. robusta specimens differed from each other by 0.12 ± 0.03%. Six of 12 protein-coding genes demonstrated intraspecific variation. The difference between the nucleotide sequences of the complete mitochondrial genomes of A. robusta and Azygia hwangtsiyui was 26.95 ± 0.35%; the interspecific variation of protein-coding genes between A. robusta and A. hwangtsiyui ranged from 20.5 ± 0.9% (cox1) to 30.7 ± 1.2% (nad5). The observed gene arrangement in the mtDNA sequence of A. robusta was identical to that of A. hwangtsiyui. Codon usage and amino acid frequencies were highly similar between A. robusta and A. hwangtsiyui. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on mtDNA protein-coding regions showed that A. robusta is closely related to A. hwangtsiyui (belonging to the same suborder, Azygiida) that formed a distinct early-diverging branch relative to all other Digenea. A preliminary morphological analysis of paratypes of the two azygiid specimens studied showed visible morphological differences between them. The specimen extracted from Sakhalin taimen (Parahucho perryi) was most similar to A. robusta. Thus, we here provide the first record of a new definitive host, P. perryi, for A. robusta and also molecular characteristics of the trematode specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Atopkin
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - A A Semenchenko
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - D A Solodovnik
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Y I Ivashko
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
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7
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Ittiprasert W, Moescheid MF, Chaparro C, Mann VH, Quack T, Rodpai R, Miller A, Wisitpongpun P, Buakaew W, Mentink-Kane M, Schmid S, Popratiloff A, Grevelding CG, Grunau C, Brindley PJ. Targeted insertion and reporter transgene activity at a gene safe harbor of the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni. Cell Rep Methods 2023; 3:100535. [PMID: 37533651 PMCID: PMC10391569 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The identification and characterization of genomic safe harbor sites (GSHs) can facilitate consistent transgene activity with minimal disruption to the host cell genome. We combined computational genome annotation and chromatin structure analysis to predict the location of four GSHs in the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, a major infectious pathogen of the tropics. A transgene was introduced via CRISPR-Cas-assisted homology-directed repair into one of the GSHs in the egg of the parasite. Gene editing efficiencies of 24% and transgene-encoded fluorescence of 75% of gene-edited schistosome eggs were observed. The approach advances functional genomics for schistosomes by providing a tractable path for generating transgenics using homology-directed, repair-catalyzed transgene insertion. We also suggest that this work will serve as a roadmap for the development of similar approaches in helminths more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wannaporn Ittiprasert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Max F. Moescheid
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- IHPE, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Victoria H. Mann
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Thomas Quack
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rutchanee Rodpai
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - André Miller
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Prapakorn Wisitpongpun
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand
| | - Watunyoo Buakaew
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
| | - Margaret Mentink-Kane
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Sarah Schmid
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Anastas Popratiloff
- Nanofabrication and Imaging Center, Science & Engineering Hall, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Christoph G. Grevelding
- Institute of Parasitology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Paul J. Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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8
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Ríos-Valencia DG, Ambrosio J, Tirado-Mendoza R, Carrero JC, Laclette JP. What about the Cytoskeletal and Related Proteins of Tapeworms in the Host's Immune Response? An Integrative Overview. Pathogens 2023; 12:840. [PMID: 37375530 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances have increased our understanding of the molecular machinery in the cytoskeleton of mammalian cells, in contrast to the case of tapeworm parasites, where cytoskeleton remains poorly characterized. The pertinence of a better knowledge of the tapeworm cytoskeleton is linked to the medical importance of these parasitic diseases in humans and animal stock. Moreover, its study could offer new possibilities for the development of more effective anti-parasitic drugs, as well as better strategies for their surveillance, prevention, and control. In the present review, we compile the results of recent experiments on the cytoskeleton of these parasites and analyze how these novel findings might trigger the development of new drugs or the redesign of those currently used in addition to supporting their use as biomarkers in cutting-edge diagnostic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana G Ríos-Valencia
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Javier Ambrosio
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Rocío Tirado-Mendoza
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Julio César Carrero
- Department of Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Juan Pedro Laclette
- Department of Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
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9
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Li X, Weth O, Haeberlein S, Grevelding CG. Molecular characterization of Sm tdc-1 and Sm ddc-1 discloses roles as male-competence factors for the sexual maturation of Schistosoma mansoni females. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1173557. [PMID: 37305409 PMCID: PMC10252128 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1173557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Schistosomes are the only mammalian flatworms that have evolved separate sexes. A key question of schistosome research is the male-dependent sexual maturation of the female since a constant pairing contact with a male is required for the onset of gonad development in the female. Although this phenomenon is long known, only recently a first peptide-based pheromone of males was identified that contributes to the control of female sexual development. Beyond this, our understanding of the molecular principles inducing the substantial developmental changes in a paired female is still rudimentary. Objectives Previous transcriptomic studies have consistently pointed to neuronal genes being differentially expressed and upregulated in paired males. These genes included Smp_135230 and Smp_171580, both annotated as aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylases (DOPA decarboxylases). Here, we characterized both genes and investigated their roles in male-female interaction of S. mansoni. Methodologies/findings Sequence analyses indicated that Smp_135230 represents an L-tyrosine decarboxylase (Smtdc-1), whereas Smp_171580 represents a DOPA decarboxylase (Smddc-1). By qRT-PCR, we confirmed the male-specific and pairing-dependent expression of both genes with a significant bias toward paired males. RNA-interference experiments showed a strong influence of each gene on gonad differentiation in paired females, which was enhanced by double knockdown. Accordingly, egg production was significantly reduced. By confocal laser scanning microscopy, a failure of oocyte maturation was found in paired knockdown females. Whole-mount in situ hybridization patterns exhibited the tissue-specific occurrence of both genes in particular cells at the ventral surface of the male, the gynecophoral canal, which represents the physical interface of both genders. These cells probably belong to the predicted neuronal cluster 2 of S. mansoni. Conclusion Our results suggest that Smtdc-1 and Smddc-2 are male-competence factors that are expressed in neuronal cells at the contact zone between the genders as a response of pairing to subsequently control processes of female sexual maturation.
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Wood S, Ishida K, Hagerty JR, Karahodza A, Dennis JN, Jolly ER. Characterization of Schistosome Sox Genes and Identification of a Flatworm Class of Sox Regulators. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050690. [PMID: 37242360 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosome helminths infect over 200 million people across 78 countries and are responsible for nearly 300,000 deaths annually. However, our understanding of basic genetic pathways crucial for schistosome development is limited. The sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2) protein is a Sox B type transcriptional activator that is expressed prior to blastulation in mammals and is necessary for embryogenesis. Sox expression is associated with pluripotency and stem cells, neuronal differentiation, gut development, and cancer. Schistosomes express a Sox-like gene expressed in the schistosomula after infecting a mammalian host when schistosomes have about 900 cells. Here, we characterized and named this Sox-like gene SmSOXS1. SmSoxS1 protein is a developmentally regulated activator that localizes to the anterior and posterior ends of the schistosomula and binds to Sox-specific DNA elements. In addition to SmSoxS1, we have also identified an additional six Sox genes in schistosomes, two Sox B, one SoxC, and three Sox genes that may establish a flatworm-specific class of Sox genes with planarians. These data identify novel Sox genes in schistosomes to expand the potential functional roles for Sox2 and may provide interesting insights into early multicellular development of flatworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Wood
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Kenji Ishida
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - James R Hagerty
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Anida Karahodza
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Janay N Dennis
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Emmitt R Jolly
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Center for Global Health and Disease, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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11
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Padalino G, Coghlan A, Pagliuca G, Forde-Thomas JE, Berriman M, Hoffmann KF. Using ChEMBL to Complement Schistosome Drug Discovery. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051359. [PMID: 37242601 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases. Until an effective vaccine is registered for use, the cornerstone of schistosomiasis control remains chemotherapy with praziquantel. The sustainability of this strategy is at substantial risk due to the possibility of praziquantel insensitive/resistant schistosomes developing. Considerable time and effort could be saved in the schistosome drug discovery pipeline if available functional genomics, bioinformatics, cheminformatics and phenotypic resources are systematically leveraged. Our approach, described here, outlines how schistosome-specific resources/methodologies, coupled to the open-access drug discovery database ChEMBL, can be cooperatively used to accelerate early-stage, schistosome drug discovery efforts. Our process identified seven compounds (fimepinostat, trichostatin A, NVP-BEP800, luminespib, epoxomicin, CGP60474 and staurosporine) with ex vivo anti-schistosomula potencies in the sub-micromolar range. Three of those compounds (epoxomicin, CGP60474 and staurosporine) also demonstrated potent and fast-acting ex vivo effects on adult schistosomes and completely inhibited egg production. ChEMBL toxicity data were also leveraged to provide further support for progressing CGP60474 (as well as luminespib and TAE684) as a novel anti-schistosomal compound. As very few compounds are currently at the advanced stages of the anti-schistosomal pipeline, our approaches highlight a strategy by which new chemical matter can be identified and quickly progressed through preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Padalino
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Avril Coghlan
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | | | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Karl F Hoffmann
- The Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK
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12
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Kaethner M, Epping K, Bernthaler P, Rudolf K, Thomann I, Leitschuh N, Bergmann M, Spiliotis M, Koziol U, Brehm K. Transforming growth factor-β signalling regulates protoscolex formation in the Echinococcus multilocularis metacestode. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1153117. [PMID: 37033489 PMCID: PMC10073696 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1153117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The lethal zoonosis alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by tumor-like, infiltrative growth of the metacestode larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. We previously showed that the metacestode is composed of posteriorized tissue and that the production of the subsequent larval stage, the protoscolex, depends on re-establishment of anterior identities within the metacestode germinative layer. It is, however, unclear so far how protoscolex differentiation in Echinococcus is regulated. We herein characterized the full complement of E. multilocularis TGFβ/BMP receptors, which is composed of one type II and three type I receptor serine/threonine kinases. Functional analyzes showed that all Echinococcus TGFβ/BMP receptors are enzymatically active and respond to host derived TGFβ/BMP ligands for activating downstream Smad transcription factors. In situ hybridization experiments demonstrated that the Echinococcus TGFβ/BMP receptors are mainly expressed by nerve and muscle cells within the germinative layer and in developing brood capsules. Interestingly, the production of brood capsules, which later give rise to protoscoleces, was strongly suppressed in the presence of inhibitors directed against TGFβ/BMP receptors, whereas protoscolex differentiation was accelerated in response to host BMP2 and TGFβ. Apart from being responsive to host TGFβ/BMP ligands, protoscolex production also correlated with the expression of a parasite-derived TGFβ-like ligand, EmACT, which is expressed in early brood capsules and which is strongly expressed in anterior domains during protoscolex development. Taken together, these data indicate an important role of TGFβ/BMP signalling in Echinococcus anterior pole formation and protoscolex development. Since TGFβ is accumulating around metacestode lesions at later stages of the infection, the host immune response could thus serve as a signal by which the parasite senses the time point at which protoscoleces must be produced. Overall, our data shed new light on molecular mechanisms of host-parasite interaction during AE and are relevant for the development of novel treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Kaethner
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Epping
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Bernthaler
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kilian Rudolf
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Irena Thomann
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Leitschuh
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Food Technology, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Germany
| | - Monika Bergmann
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Spiliotis
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Uriel Koziol
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Klaus Brehm
- Consultant Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Peterkova K, Vorel J, Ilgova J, Ostasov P, Fajtova P, Konecny L, Chanova M, Kasny M, Horn M, Dvorak J. Proteases and their inhibitors involved in Schistosoma mansoni egg-host interaction revealed by comparative transcriptomics with Fasciola hepatica eggs. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:253-263. [PMID: 36754342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni eggs are the main causative agents of the pathological manifestations of schistosomiasis. The eggs are laid in the host bloodstream, then they migrate through the intestinal wall into the lumen. However, a significant proportion of the eggs become lodged in the liver, where they cause inflammation and fibrosis. In this study, we focus on a specific group of proteins expressed by the egg, namely proteases and their inhibitors. These molecules are often involved in schistosome-host interactions, but are still unexplored in the egg stage. Using RNA-seq and comparative transcriptomics of immature and mature S. mansoni eggs, we mapped the portfolio of proteases and their inhibitors, and determined their gene expression levels. In addition, we compared these data with gene expression of proteases and their inhibitors in Fasciola hepatica eggs. Fasciola hepatica eggs served as a useful comparative model, as they do not migrate through tissues and inflict pathology. We detected transcription of 135 and 117 proteases in S. mansoni and F. hepatica eggs, respectively, with 87 identified as orthologous between the two species. In contrast, we observed only four orthologous inhibitors out of 21 and 16 identified in S. mansoni and F. hepatica eggs, respectively. Among others, we measured high and developmentally regulated levels of expression of metalloproteases in S. mansoni eggs, specifically aminopeptidase N1, endothelin-converting enzyme 1, and several leishmanolysin-like peptidases. We identified highly transcribed protease inhibitors serpin and alpha-2-macroglobulin that are unique to S. mansoni eggs, and antistasin-like inhibitor in F. hepatica eggs. This study provides new insights into the portfolio of proteases and inhibitors expressed by S. mansoni with potential roles in egg tissue migration, stimulation of angiogenesis, and interaction with host blood and immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyna Peterkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia; Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czechia.
| | - Jiri Vorel
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jana Ilgova
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Pavel Ostasov
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Czechia
| | - Pavla Fajtova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Lukas Konecny
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia; Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Marta Chanova
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Kasny
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jan Dvorak
- Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czechia; Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia; Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Center of Infectious Animal Diseases, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Czechia
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14
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Hambrook JR, Hanington PC. A cercarial invadolysin interferes with the host immune response and facilitates infection establishment of Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1010884. [PMID: 36730464 PMCID: PMC9928134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni employs immune evasion and immunosuppression to overcome immune responses mounted by its snail and human hosts. Myriad immunomodulating factors underlie this process, some of which are proteases. Here, we demonstrate that one protease, an invadolysin we have termed SmCI-1, is released from the acetabular glands of S. mansoni cercaria and is involved in creating an immunological milieu favorable for survival of the parasite. The presence of SmCI-1 in the cercarial stage of S. mansoni is released during transformation into the schistosomula. SmCI-1 functions as a metalloprotease with the capacity to cleave collagen type IV, gelatin and fibrinogen. Additionally, complement component C3b is cleaved by this protease, resulting in inhibition of the classical and alternative complement pathways. Using SmCI-1 knockdown cercariae, we demonstrate that SmCI-1 protects schistosomula from complement-mediated lysis in human plasma. We also assess the effect of SmCI-1 on cytokine release from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, providing compelling evidence that SmCI-1 promotes an anti-inflammatory microenvironment by enhancing production of IL-10 and suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines like IL-1B and IL-12p70 and those involved in eosinophil recruitment and activation, like Eotaxin-1 and IL-5. Finally, we utilize the SmCI-1 knockdown cercaria in a mouse model of infection, revealing a role for SmCI-1 in S. mansoni survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R. Hambrook
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Patrick C. Hanington
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail:
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15
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Calvelo J, Brehm K, Iriarte A, Koziol U. Trans-splicing in the cestode Hymenolepis microstoma is constitutive across the life cycle and depends on gene structure and composition. Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:103-17. [PMID: 36621599 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Spliced leader (SL) trans-splicing is a key process during mRNA maturation of many eukaryotes, in which a short sequence (SL) is transferred from a precursor SL-RNA into the 5' region of an immature mRNA. This mechanism is present in flatworms, in which it is known to participate in the resolution of polycistronic transcripts. However, most trans-spliced transcripts are not part of operons, and it is not clear if this process may participate in additional regulatory mechanisms in this group. In this work, we present a comprehensive analysis of SL trans-splicing in the model cestode Hymenolepis microstoma. We identified four different SL-RNAs which are indiscriminately trans-spliced to 622 gene models. SL trans-splicing is enriched in constitutively expressed genes and does not appear to be regulated throughout the life cycle. Operons represented at least 20% of all detected trans-spliced gene models, showed conservation to those of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis, and included complex loci such as an alternative operon (processed as either a single gene through cis-splicing or as two genes of a polycistron). Most insertion sites were identified in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of monocistronic genes. These genes frequently contained introns in the 5' UTR, in which trans-splicing used the same acceptor sites as cis-splicing. These results suggest that, unlike other eukaryotes, trans-splicing is associated with internal intronic promoters in the 5' UTR, resulting in transcripts with strong splicing acceptor sites without competing cis-donor sites, pointing towards a simple mechanism driving the evolution of novel SL insertion sites.
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16
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Beesley NJ, Cwiklinski K, Allen K, Hoyle RC, Spithill TW, La Course EJ, Williams DJL, Paterson S, Hodgkinson JE. A major locus confers triclabendazole resistance in Fasciola hepatica and shows dominant inheritance. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011081. [PMID: 36701396 PMCID: PMC9904461 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fasciola hepatica infection is responsible for substantial economic losses in livestock worldwide and poses a threat to human health in endemic areas. The mainstay of control in livestock and the only drug licenced for use in humans is triclabendazole (TCBZ). TCBZ resistance has been reported on every continent and threatens effective control of fasciolosis in many parts of the world. To date, understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying TCBZ resistance has been limited to studies of candidate genes, based on assumptions of their role in drug action. Taking an alternative approach, we combined a genetic cross with whole-genome sequencing to localise a ~3.2Mbp locus within the 1.2Gbp F. hepatica genome that confers TCBZ resistance. We validated this locus independently using bulk segregant analysis of F. hepatica populations and showed that it is the target of drug selection in the field. We genotyped individual parasites and tracked segregation and reassortment of SNPs to show that TCBZ resistance exhibits Mendelian inheritance and is conferred by a dominant allele. We defined gene content within this locus to pinpoint genes involved in membrane transport, (e.g. ATP-binding cassette family B, ABCB1), transmembrane signalling and signal transduction (e.g. GTP-Ras-adenylyl cyclase and EGF-like protein), DNA/RNA binding and transcriptional regulation (e.g. SANT/Myb-like DNA-binding domain protein) and drug storage and sequestration (e.g. fatty acid binding protein, FABP) as prime candidates for conferring TCBZ resistance. This study constitutes the first experimental cross and genome-wide approach for any heritable trait in F. hepatica and is key to understanding the evolution of drug resistance in Fasciola spp. to inform deployment of efficacious anthelmintic treatments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola J. Beesley
- Veterinary Parasitology, Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (NJB); (JEH)
| | - Krystyna Cwiklinski
- Veterinary Parasitology, Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Allen
- Veterinary Parasitology, Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca C. Hoyle
- Veterinary Parasitology, Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Terry W. Spithill
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences and Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | | | - Diana J. L. Williams
- Veterinary Parasitology, Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Steve Paterson
- Centre for Genomic Research, Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jane E. Hodgkinson
- Veterinary Parasitology, Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (NJB); (JEH)
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Du X, McManus DP, French JD, Collinson N, Sivakumaran H, MacGregor SR, Fogarty CE, Jones MK, You H. CRISPR interference for sequence-specific regulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor A in Schistosoma mansoni. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1105719. [PMID: 36713455 PMCID: PMC9880433 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1105719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Employing the flatworm parasite Schistosoma mansoni as a model, we report the first application of CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) in parasitic helminths for loss-of-function studies targeting the SmfgfrA gene which encodes the stem cell marker, fibroblast growth factor receptor A (FGFRA). SmFGFRA is essential for maintaining schistosome stem cells and critical in the schistosome-host interplay. The SmfgfrA gene was targeted in S. mansoni adult worms, eggs and schistosomula using a catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9) fused to a transcriptional repressor KRAB. We showed that SmfgfrA repression resulted in considerable phenotypic differences in the modulated parasites compared with controls, including reduced levels of SmfgfrA transcription and decreased protein expression of SmFGFRA, a decline in EdU (thymidine analog 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, which specifically stains schistosome stem cells) signal, and an increase in cell apoptosis. Notably, reduced SmfgfrA transcription was evident in miracidia hatched from SmfgfrA-repressed eggs, and resulted in a significant change in miracidial behavior, indicative of a durable repression effect caused by CRISPRi. Intravenous injection of mice with SmfgfrA-repressed eggs resulted in granulomas that were markedly reduced in size and a decline in the level of serum IgE, emphasizing the importance of SmFGFRA in regulating the host immune response induced during schistosome infection. Our findings show the feasibility of applying CRISPRi for effective, targeted transcriptional repression in schistosomes, and provide the basis for employing CRISPRi to selectively perturb gene expression in parasitic helminths on a genome-wide scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Du
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Juliet D. French
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Natasha Collinson
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Haran Sivakumaran
- Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Skye R. MacGregor
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Conor E. Fogarty
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Malcolm K. Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Hong You
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia,School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia,*Correspondence: Hong You,
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Zhong H, Jin Y. Single-sex schistosomiasis: a mini review. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1158805. [PMID: 37153566 PMCID: PMC10154636 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1158805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by dioecious blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma and second to malaria as a parasitic disease with significant socio-economic impacts. Mating is essential for maturation of male and female schistosomes and for females to lay of eggs, which are responsible for the pathogenesis and propagation of the life cycle beyond the mammalian host. Single-sex schistosomes, which do not produce viable eggs without mating, have been overlooked given the symptomatic paucity of the single-sex schistosomiasis and limited diagnostic toolkit. Besides, single-sex schistosomes are less sensitive to praziquantel. Therefore, these issues should be considered to achieve the elimination of this infection disease. The aim of this review is to summarize current progress in research of single-sex schistosomes and host-parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Zhong
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yamei Jin
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yamei Jin,
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Pirovich DB, Da'dara AA, Skelly PJ. Schistosoma mansoni phosphoglycerate mutase: a glycolytic ectoenzyme with thrombolytic potential. Parasite 2022; 29:41. [PMID: 36083036 PMCID: PMC9461710 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2022042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a debilitating parasitic disease caused by intravascular flatworms called schistosomes (blood flukes) that affects >200 million people worldwide. Proteomic analysis has revealed the surprising presence of classical glycolytic enzymes – typically cytosolic proteins – located on the extracellular surface of the parasite tegument (skin). Immunolocalization experiments show that phosphoglycerate mutase (PGM) is widely expressed in parasite tissues and is highly expressed in the tegument. We demonstrate that live Schistosoma mansoni parasites express enzymatically active PGM on their tegumental surface. Suppression of PGM using RNA interference (RNAi) diminishes S. mansoni PGM (SmPGM) gene expression, protein levels, and surface enzyme activity. Sequence comparisons place SmPGM in the cofactor (2,3-bisphosphoglycerate)-dependent PGM (dPGM) family. We have produced recombinant SmPGM (rSmPGM) in an enzymatically active form in Escherichia coli. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of rSmPGM for its glycolytic substrate (3-phosphoglycerate) is 0.85 mM ± 0.02. rSmPGM activity is inhibited by the dPGM-specific inhibitor vanadate. Here, we show that rSmPGM not only binds to plasminogen but also promotes its conversion to an active form (plasmin) in vitro. This supports the hypothesis that host-interactive tegumental proteins (such as SmPGM), by enhancing plasmin formation, may help degrade blood clots around the worms in the vascular microenvironment and thus promote parasite survival in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Pirovich
- Molecular Helminthology Laboratory, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
| | - Akram A Da'dara
- Molecular Helminthology Laboratory, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
| | - Patrick J Skelly
- Molecular Helminthology Laboratory, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
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20
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Gonçalves-Silva G, Vieira LGMDS, Cosenza-Contreras M, Souza AFP, Costa DC, Castro-Borges W. Profiling the serum proteome during Schistosoma mansoni infection in the BALB/c mice: A focus on the altered lipid metabolism as a key modulator of host-parasite interactions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:955049. [PMID: 36119112 PMCID: PMC9471378 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.955049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis represents a condition in which every aspect of the disease, starting from skin invasion of the cercariae to egg laying by adult worms, incites a tissue response from the vertebrate host. This response, whether acute or chronic, leads to the appearance of reporter molecules of tissue injury in bodily fluids that could be surveyed as markers for disease diagnosis, status and prognosis. In this scenario, the serum proteome associated with a schistosome infection remains poorly explored; particularly by the use of high-throughput mass spectrometric instrumentation. In this study, we aimed to comparatively examine the serum proteome of control versus infected BALB/c mice, spanning the interval between the onset of egg laying and the peak of the acute phase of infection. Compositional analysis of the sera, using one dimensional reversed-phase fractionation of tryptic peptides coupled to mass spectrometry, allowed identification of 453 constituents. Among these, over 30% (143 molecules) were differentially present comparing sera from infected and non-infected mice, as revealed by quantitative label-free shotgun approach. The majority of proteins exhibiting altered levels was categorised as belonging to immune response (acute phase-related proteins) followed by those linked to lipid transport and metabolism. Inspection of the lipid profile from control and infected individuals demonstrated more pronounced and significant alterations in triglycerides, VLDL and HDL fractions (p<0,001), attesting for a disturbance in circulating lipid molecules, and suggesting a key role in host-parasite interactions. Our findings provide a global view of the serum proteome in the context of experimental schistosomiasis during the acute phase of infection. It contributes by listing key molecules that could be monitored to inform on the associated inflammatory disease status. We hope it will shed light into uncovered aspects of the Schistosoma mansoni parasitism in the vertebrate host, particularly those related to modulation of the lipid metabolism mediating immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Gonçalves-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Miguel Cosenza-Contreras
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg/Institute for Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ana Flávia Pinho Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Daniela Caldeira Costa
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Wiliam Castro-Borges
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Wiliam Castro-Borges,
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Vianney TJ, Berger DJ, Doyle SR, Sankaranarayanan G, Serubanja J, Nakawungu PK, Besigye F, Sanya RE, Holroyd N, Allan F, Webb EL, Elliott AM, Berriman M, Cotton JA. Genome-wide analysis of Schistosoma mansoni reveals limited population structure and possible praziquantel drug selection pressure within Ugandan hot-spot communities. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010188. [PMID: 35981002 PMCID: PMC9426917 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Populations within schistosomiasis control areas, especially those in Africa, are recommended to receive regular mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel (PZQ) as the main strategy for controlling the disease. The impact of PZQ treatment on schistosome genetics remains poorly understood, and is limited by a lack of high-resolution genetic data on the population structure of parasites within these control areas. We generated whole-genome sequence data from 174 individual miracidia collected from both children and adults from fishing communities on islands in Lake Victoria in Uganda that had received either annual or quarterly MDA with PZQ over four years, including samples collected immediately before and four weeks after treatment. Genome variation within and between samples was characterised and we investigated genomic signatures of natural selection acting on these populations that could be due to PZQ treatment. The parasite population on these islands was more diverse than found in nearby villages on the lake shore. We saw little or no genetic differentiation between villages, or between the groups of villages with different treatment intensity, but slightly higher genetic diversity within the pre-treatment compared to post-treatment parasite populations. We identified classes of genes significantly enriched within regions of the genome with evidence of recent positive selection among post-treatment and intensively treated parasite populations. The differential selection observed in post-treatment and pre-treatment parasite populations could be linked to any reduced susceptibility of parasites to praziquantel treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tushabe John Vianney
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Duncan J. Berger
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen R. Doyle
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Joel Serubanja
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Prossy Kabuubi Nakawungu
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Fred Besigye
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Richard E. Sanya
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Health and Systems for Health Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nancy Holroyd
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Allan
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily L. Webb
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison M. Elliott
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - James A. Cotton
- Parasites and Microbes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
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22
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Xu X, Wang Y, Wang C, Guo G, Yu X, Dai Y, Liu Y, Wei G, He X, Jin G, Zhang Z, Guan Q, Pain A, Wang S, Zhang W, Young ND, Gasser RB, McManus DP, Cao J, Zhou Q, Zhang Q. Chromosome-level genome assembly defines female-biased genes associated with sex determination and differentiation in the human blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum. Mol Ecol Resour 2022; 23:205-221. [PMID: 35844053 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease of humans caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, the only dioecious parasitic flatworm. Although aspects of sex determination, differentiation and reproduction have been studied in some Schistosoma species, almost nothing is known for Schistosoma japonicum, the causative agent of schistosomiasis japonica. This mainly reflects the lack of high-quality genomic and transcriptomic resources for this species. As current genomes for S. japonicum are highly fragmented, we assembled and report a chromosome-level reference genome (seven autosomes, the Z-chromosome and partial W-chromosome), achieving a substantially enhanced gene annotation. Utilizing this genome, we discovered that the sex chromosomes of S. japonicum and its congener S. mansoni independently suppressed recombination during evolution, forming five and two evolutionary strata, respectively. By exploring the W-chromosome and sex-specific transcriptomes, we identified 35 W-linked genes and 257 female-preferentially transcribed genes (FTGs) from our chromosomal assembly and uncovered a signature for sex determination and differentiation in S. japonicum. These FTGs clustering within autosomes or the Z-chromosome exhibit a highly dynamic transcription profile during the pairing of female and male schistosomula, thereby representing a critical phase for the maturation of the female worms and suggesting distinct layers of regulatory control of gene transcription at this development stage. Collectively, these data provide a valuable resource for further functional genomic characterization of S. japonicum, shed light on the evolution of sex chromosomes in this highly virulent human blood fluke, and provide a pathway to identify novel targets for development of intervention tools against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xindong Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, and Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research School of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Changhong Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, and Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research School of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gangqiang Guo
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, and Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research School of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyu Yu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
| | - Yang Dai
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
| | - Yaobao Liu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China
| | - Guiying Wei
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, and Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research School of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohui He
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, and Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research School of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ge Jin
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ziqiu Zhang
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Qingtian Guan
- Pathogen Genomics Laboratory, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Arnab Pain
- Pathogen Genomics Laboratory, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Shengyue Wang
- National Research Center for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Clinical Medical Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Neil D Young
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jun Cao
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, China.,Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital School of Medicine and Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingfeng Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, and Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research School of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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23
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Moreira BP, Batista ICA, Tavares NC, Armstrong T, Gava SG, Torres GP, Mourão MM, Falcone FH. Docking-Based Virtual Screening Enables Prioritizing Protein Kinase Inhibitors With In Vitro Phenotypic Activity Against Schistosoma mansoni. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:913301. [PMID: 35865824 PMCID: PMC9294739 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.913301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic neglected disease with praziquantel (PZQ) utilized as the main drug for treatment, despite its low effectiveness against early stages of the worm. To aid in the search for new drugs to tackle schistosomiasis, computer-aided drug design has been proved a helpful tool to enhance the search and initial identification of schistosomicidal compounds, allowing fast and cost-efficient progress in drug discovery. The combination of high-throughput in silico data followed by in vitro phenotypic screening assays allows the assessment of a vast library of compounds with the potential to inhibit a single or even several biological targets in a more time- and cost-saving manner. Here, we describe the molecular docking for in silico screening of predicted homology models of five protein kinases (JNK, p38, ERK1, ERK2, and FES) of Schistosoma mansoni against approximately 85,000 molecules from the Managed Chemical Compounds Collection (MCCC) of the University of Nottingham (UK). We selected 169 molecules predicted to bind to SmERK1, SmERK2, SmFES, SmJNK, and/or Smp38 for in vitro screening assays using schistosomula and adult worms. In total, 89 (52.6%) molecules were considered active in at least one of the assays. This approach shows a much higher efficiency when compared to using only traditional high-throughput in vitro screening assays, where initial positive hits are retrieved from testing thousands of molecules. Additionally, when we focused on compound promiscuity over selectivity, we were able to efficiently detect active compounds that are predicted to target all kinases at the same time. This approach reinforces the concept of polypharmacology aiming for “one drug-multiple targets”. Moreover, at least 17 active compounds presented satisfactory drug-like properties score when compared to PZQ, which allows for optimization before further in vivo screening assays. In conclusion, our data support the use of computer-aided drug design methodologies in conjunction with high-throughput screening approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Pereira Moreira
- Institut für Parasitologie, Biomedizinisches Forschungszentrum Seltersberg (BFS), Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Naiara Clemente Tavares
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Tom Armstrong
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Grossi Gava
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriella Parreiras Torres
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marina Moraes Mourão
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Franco H. Falcone, ; Marina Moraes Mourão,
| | - Franco H. Falcone
- Institut für Parasitologie, Biomedizinisches Forschungszentrum Seltersberg (BFS), Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Franco H. Falcone, ; Marina Moraes Mourão,
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Du X, McManus DP, Fogarty CE, Jones MK, You H. Schistosoma mansoni Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor A Orchestrates Multiple Functions in Schistosome Biology and in the Host-Parasite Interplay. Front Immunol 2022; 13:868077. [PMID: 35812433 PMCID: PMC9257043 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.868077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells play significant roles in driving the complex life cycle of Schistosoma mansoni. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor A (SmFGFRA) is essential for maintaining the integrity of schistosome stem cells. Using immunolocalization, we demonstrated that SmFGFRA was distributed abundantly in germinal/stem cells of different S. mansoni life stages including eggs, miracidia, cercariae, schistosomula and adult worms. Indeed, SmFGFRA was also localized amply in embryonic cells and in the perinuclear region of immature eggs; von Lichtenberg's layer and the neural mass of mature eggs; the ciliated surface and neural mass of miracidia; the tegument cytosol of cercariae, schistosomula and adult worms; and was present in abundance in the testis and vitellaria of adult worms of S. mansoni. The distribution pattern of SmFGFRA illustrates the importance of this molecule in maintaining stem cells, development of the nervous and reproductive system of schistosomes, and in the host-parasite interplay. We showed SmFGFRA can bind human FGFs, activating the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway of adult worms in vitro. Inhibition of FGF signaling by the specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor BIBF 1120 significantly reduced egg hatching ability and affected the behavior of miracidia hatched from the treated eggs, emphasizing the importance of FGF signaling in driving the life cycle of S. mansoni. Our findings provide increased understanding of the complex schistosome life cycle and host-parasite interactions, indicating components of the FGF signaling pathway may represent promising targets for developing new interventions against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Du
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Conor E. Fogarty
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Malcolm K. Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Hong You
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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25
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Wang Y, Gasser RB, Charlesworth D, Zhou Q. Evolution of sexual systems, sex chromosomes and sex-linked gene transcription in flatworms and roundworms. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3239. [PMID: 35688815 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30578-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species with separate male and female individuals (termed ‘gonochorism’ in animals) have sex-linked genome regions. Here, we investigate evolutionary changes when genome regions become completely sex-linked, by analyses of multiple species of flatworms (Platyhelminthes; among which schistosomes recently evolved gonochorism from ancestral hermaphroditism), and roundworms (Nematoda) which have undergone independent translocations of different autosomes. Although neither the evolution of gonochorism nor translocations fusing ancestrally autosomal regions to sex chromosomes causes inevitable loss of recombination, we document that formerly recombining regions show genomic signatures of recombination suppression in both taxa, and become strongly genetically degenerated, with a loss of most genes. Comparisons with hermaphroditic flatworm transcriptomes show masculinisation and some defeminisation in schistosome gonad gene expression. We also find evidence that evolution of sex-linkage in nematodes is accompanied by transcriptional changes and dosage compensation. Our analyses also identify sex-linked genes that could assist future research aimed at controlling some of these important parasites. Transitions between hermaphroditic and separate sexes are relatively understudied in animals compared to pants. Here, Wang et al. reconstruct the evolution of separate sexes in the flatworms and complex changes of sex chromosomes in the roundworms.
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Papakonstantinou E, Io Diakou K, Mitsis T, Dragoumani K, Bacopoulou F, Megalooikonomou V, Kossida S, Chrousos GP, Vlachakis D. Molecular fusion events in carcinogenic organisms: a bioinformatics study for the detection of fused proteins between viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes. EMBnet J 2022; 27:e1004. [PMID: 35464257 PMCID: PMC9029568 DOI: 10.14806/ej.27.0.1004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Molecular fusion events have a prominent role in the initial steps of carcinogenesis. In this study, a bioinformatics analysis was performed between four organisms that are known to induce cancer development in humans: two viruses, Human Herpesvirus 4, and Human T-cell leukaemia virus, one bacterium, Helicobacter Pylori, and one trematode, Schistosoma mansoni. The annotated proteomes from these organisms were analysed using the SAFE software to identify protein fusion events, which may provide insight into protein function similarities and possible merging events during the course of evolution. Based on the results, five fused proteins with very similar functions were detected, whereas proteins with different functions that might act in the same molecular complex or biochemical pathway were not found. Thus, this study analysed the above four well-known cancer-related organisms with de novo bioinformatics programs and provided useful information on protein fusion events, hopefully leading to deeper understanding of carcinogenenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Io Diakou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Thanasis Mitsis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Dragoumani
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilis Megalooikonomou
- Computer Engineering and Informatics Department, School of Engineering, University of Patras, Patras. Greece
| | - Sophia Kossida
- IMGT, The International ImMunoGeneTics Information System, Université de Montpellier, Laboratoire d'ImmunoGénétique Moléculaire and Institut de Génétique Humaine, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Platt RN, Le Clec'h W, Chevalier FD, McDew‐White M, LoVerde PT, Ramiro de Assis R, Oliveira G, Kinung'hi S, Djirmay AG, Steinauer ML, Gouvras A, Rabone M, Allan F, Webster BL, Webster JP, Emery AM, Rollinson D, Anderson TJC. Genomic analysis of a parasite invasion: Colonization of the Americas by the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:2242-2263. [PMID: 35152493 PMCID: PMC9305930 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni, a snail-borne, blood fluke that infects humans, was introduced into the Americas from Africa during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. As this parasite shows strong specificity to the snail intermediate host, we expected that adaptation to South American Biomphalaria spp. snails would result in population bottlenecks and strong signatures of selection. We scored 475,081 single nucleotide variants in 143 S. mansoni from the Americas (Brazil, Guadeloupe and Puerto Rico) and Africa (Cameroon, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda), and used these data to ask: (i) Was there a population bottleneck during colonization? (ii) Can we identify signatures of selection associated with colonization? (iii) What were the source populations for colonizing parasites? We found a 2.4- to 2.9-fold reduction in diversity and much slower decay in linkage disequilibrium (LD) in parasites from East to West Africa. However, we observed similar nuclear diversity and LD in West Africa and Brazil, suggesting no strong bottlenecks and limited barriers to colonization. We identified five genome regions showing selection in the Americas, compared with three in West Africa and none in East Africa, which we speculate may reflect adaptation during colonization. Finally, we infer that unsampled populations from central African regions between Benin and Angola, with contributions from Niger, are probably the major source(s) for Brazilian S. mansoni. The absence of a bottleneck suggests that this is a rare case of a serendipitous invasion, where S. mansoni parasites were pre-adapted to the Americas and able to establish with relative ease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy N. Platt
- Texas Biomedical Research InstituteSan AntonioTexasUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Guilherme Oliveira
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou—Fiocruz/MGBelo HorizonteBrazil
- Instituto Tecnológico ValeBelémBrazil
| | | | - Amadou Garba Djirmay
- Réseau International Schistosomiases Environnemental Aménagement et Lutte (RISEAL)NiameyNiger
| | | | | | | | - Fiona Allan
- Department of Pathobiology and Population SciencesRoyal Veterinary College, Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic DiseasesUniversity of LondonHertfordshireUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College LondonSchool of Public HealthLondonUK
| | - Bonnie L. Webster
- Natural History MuseumLondonUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College LondonSchool of Public HealthLondonUK
| | - Joanne P. Webster
- Department of Pathobiology and Population SciencesRoyal Veterinary College, Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic DiseasesUniversity of LondonHertfordshireUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College LondonSchool of Public HealthLondonUK
| | - Aidan M. Emery
- Natural History MuseumLondonUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College LondonSchool of Public HealthLondonUK
| | - David Rollinson
- Natural History MuseumLondonUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College LondonSchool of Public HealthLondonUK
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Lu L, Bu L, Zhang SM, Buddenborg SK, Loker ES. An Overview of Transcriptional Responses of Schistosome-Susceptible (M line) or -Resistant (BS-90) Biomphalaria glabrata Exposed or Not to Schistosoma mansoni Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 12:805882. [PMID: 35095891 PMCID: PMC8791074 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.805882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We seek to provide a comprehensive overview of transcriptomics responses of immune-related features of the gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata (Bg) following exposure to Schistosoma mansoni (Sm), a trematode causing human schistosomiasis. Responses of schistosome-susceptible (M line, or SUS) and -resistant (BS-90, or RES) Bg strains were characterized following exposure to Sm for 0.5, 2, 8 or 40 days post-exposure (dpe). Methods RNA-Seq and differential expression analysis were undertaken on 56 snails from 14 groups. We considered 7 response categories: 1) constitutive resistance factors; 2) constitutive susceptibility factors; 3) generalized stress responses; 4) induced resistance factors; 5) resistance factors suppressed in SUS snails; 6) suppressed/manipulated factors in SUS snails; and 7) tolerance responses in SUS snails. We also undertook a gene co-expression network analysis. Results from prior studies identifying schistosome resistance/susceptibility factors were examined relative to our findings. Results A total of 792 million paired-end reads representing 91.2% of the estimated 31,985 genes in the Bg genome were detected and results for the 7 categories compiled and highlighted. For both RES and SUS snails, a single most supported network of genes with highly correlated expression was found. Conclusions 1) Several constitutive differences in gene expression between SUS and RES snails were noted, the majority over-represented in RES; 2) There was little indication of a generalized stress response shared by SUS and RES snails at 0.5 or 2 dpe; 3) RES snails mounted a strong, multi-faceted response by 0.5 dpe that carried over to 2 dpe; 4) The most notable SUS responses were at 40 dpe, in snails shedding cercariae, when numerous features were either strongly down-regulated indicative of physiological distress or parasite manipulation, or up-regulated, suggestive of tolerance or survival-promoting effects; 5) Of 55 genes previously identified in genome wide mapping studies, 29 (52.7%) were responsive to Sm, as were many familiar resistance-associated genes (41.0%) identified by other means; 6) Both network analysis and remarkably specific patterns of expression of lectins and G protein-coupled receptors in categories 4, 6 and 7 were indicative of orchestrated responses of different suites of genes in SUS or RES snails following exposure to Sm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Lijing Bu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Sarah K Buddenborg
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Eric S Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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Stroehlein AJ, Korhonen PK, Lee VV, Ralph SA, Mentink-Kane M, You H, McManus DP, Tchuenté LAT, Stothard JR, Kaur P, Dudchenko O, Aiden EL, Yang B, Yang H, Emery AM, Webster BL, Brindley PJ, Rollinson D, Chang BCH, Gasser RB, Young ND. Chromosome-level genome of Schistosoma haematobium underpins genome-wide explorations of molecular variation. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010288. [PMID: 35167626 PMCID: PMC8846543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Urogenital schistosomiasis is caused by the blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium and is one of the most neglected tropical diseases worldwide, afflicting > 100 million people. It is characterised by granulomata, fibrosis and calcification in urogenital tissues, and can lead to increased susceptibility to HIV/AIDS and squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. To complement available treatment programs and break the transmission of disease, sound knowledge and understanding of the biology and ecology of S. haematobium is required. Hybridisation/introgression events and molecular variation among members of the S. haematobium-group might effect important biological and/or disease traits as well as the morbidity of disease and the effectiveness of control programs including mass drug administration. Here we report the first chromosome-contiguous genome for a well-defined laboratory line of this blood fluke. An exploration of this genome using transcriptomic data for all key developmental stages allowed us to refine gene models (including non-coding elements) and annotations, discover ‘new’ genes and transcription profiles for these stages, likely linked to development and/or pathogenesis. Molecular variation within S. haematobium among some geographical locations in Africa revealed unique genomic ‘signatures’ that matched species other than S. haematobium, indicating the occurrence of introgression events. The present reference genome (designated Shae.V3) and the findings from this study solidly underpin future functional genomic and molecular investigations of S. haematobium and accelerate systematic, large-scale population genomics investigations, with a focus on improved and sustained control of urogenital schistosomiasis. More than 100 million people are infected with the carcinogenic blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium, the aetiological agent of urogenital schistosomiasis—a neglected tropical disease (NTD). In spite of its major significance, little is known about this fluke, its interactions with the human and snail intermediate hosts and the pathogenesis of the urogenital form of schistosomiasis at the molecular and biochemical levels. To enable research in these areas, we report the first chromosome-level genome and markedly enhanced gene models for S. haematobium. Comparative genomic analyses also reveal evidence of past introgression events between or among closely related schistosome species. This present reference genome for S. haematobium and the findings from this study should underpin future functional genomic and molecular investigations of S. haematobium and accelerate systematic, large-scale population genomics investigations, with a focus on improved control of urogenital schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas J. Stroehlein
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Pasi K. Korhonen
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - V. Vern Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Stuart A. Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Margaret Mentink-Kane
- NIH-NIAID Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hong You
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Immunology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - J. Russell Stothard
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Parwinder Kaur
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Olga Dudchenko
- The Center for Genome Architecture, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Erez Lieberman Aiden
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- The Center for Genome Architecture, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech, Pudong, China
- Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Bicheng Yang
- BGI Australia, Oceania, BGI Group, CBCRB Building, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Huanming Yang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Unknown Pathogen Identification, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Aidan M. Emery
- Parasites and Vectors Division, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Bonnie L. Webster
- Parasites and Vectors Division, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul J. Brindley
- School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - David Rollinson
- Parasites and Vectors Division, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Bill C. H. Chang
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (RBG); (NDY)
| | - Neil D. Young
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (RBG); (NDY)
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Tian Q, Guo Q, Guo Y, Luo L, Kristiansen K, Han Z, Fang H, Zhang S. Whole-genome sequence of the planarian Dugesia japonica combining Illumina and PacBio data. Genomics 2022; 114:110293. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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31
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Ittiprasert W, Chatupheeraphat C, Mann VH, Li W, Miller A, Ogunbayo T, Tran K, Alrefaei YN, Mentink-Kane M, Brindley PJ. RNA-Guided AsCas12a- and SpCas9-Catalyzed Knockout and Homology Directed Repair of the Omega-1 Locus of the Human Blood Fluke, Schistosoma mansoni. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:631. [PMID: 35054816 PMCID: PMC8775552 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficiency of the RNA-guided AsCas12a nuclease of Acidaminococcus sp. was compared with SpCas9 from Streptococcus pyogenes, for functional genomics in Schistosoma mansoni. We deployed optimized conditions for the ratio of guide RNAs to the nuclease, donor templates, and electroporation parameters, to target a key schistosome enzyme termed omega-1. Programmed cleavages catalyzed by Cas12a and Cas9 resulted in staggered- and blunt-ended strand breaks, respectively. AsCas12a was more efficient than SpCas9 for gene knockout, as determined by TIDE analysis. CRISPResso2 analysis confirmed that most mutations were deletions. Knockout efficiency of both nucleases markedly increased in the presence of single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) template. With AsCas12a, ssODNs representative of both the non-CRISPR target (NT) and target (T) strands were tested, resulting in KO efficiencies of 15.67, 28.71, and 21.43% in the SpCas9 plus ssODN, AsCas12a plus NT-ssODN, and AsCas12a plus T-ssODN groups, respectively. Trans-cleavage against the ssODNs by activated AsCas12a was not apparent in vitro. SpCas9 catalyzed more precise transgene insertion, with knock-in efficiencies of 17.07% for the KI_Cas9 group, 14.58% for KI_Cas12a-NT-ssODN, and 12.37% for KI_Cas12a-T-ssODN. Although AsCas12a induced fewer mutations per genome than SpCas9, the phenotypic impact on transcription and expression of omega-1 was similar for both nucleases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wannaporn Ittiprasert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, & Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (C.C.); (V.H.M.); (W.L.); (Y.N.A.)
| | - Chawalit Chatupheeraphat
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, & Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (C.C.); (V.H.M.); (W.L.); (Y.N.A.)
- Center for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Victoria H. Mann
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, & Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (C.C.); (V.H.M.); (W.L.); (Y.N.A.)
| | - Wenhui Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, & Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (C.C.); (V.H.M.); (W.L.); (Y.N.A.)
- Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - André Miller
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (A.M.); (T.O.); (K.T.); (M.M.-K.)
| | - Taiwo Ogunbayo
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (A.M.); (T.O.); (K.T.); (M.M.-K.)
| | - Kenny Tran
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (A.M.); (T.O.); (K.T.); (M.M.-K.)
| | - Yousef N. Alrefaei
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, & Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (C.C.); (V.H.M.); (W.L.); (Y.N.A.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Health Sciences, PAEET, Adailiya, Kuwait City 73101, Kuwait
| | - Margaret Mentink-Kane
- Schistosomiasis Resource Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA; (A.M.); (T.O.); (K.T.); (M.M.-K.)
| | - Paul J. Brindley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, & Research Center for Neglected Diseases of Poverty, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (C.C.); (V.H.M.); (W.L.); (Y.N.A.)
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Hulme BJ, Geyer KK, Forde-Thomas JE, Padalino G, Phillips DW, Ittiprasert W, Karinshak SE, Mann VH, Chalmers IW, Brindley PJ, Hokke CH, Hoffmann KF. Schistosoma mansoni α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (SmNAGAL) regulates coordinated parasite movement and egg production. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1009828. [PMID: 35025955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
α-galactosidase (α-GAL) and α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (α-NAGAL) are two glycosyl hydrolases responsible for maintaining cellular homeostasis by regulating glycan substrates on proteins and lipids. Mutations in the human genes encoding either enzyme lead to neurological and neuromuscular impairments seen in both Fabry- and Schindler/Kanzaki- diseases. Here, we investigate whether the parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, responsible for the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis, also contains functionally important α-GAL and α-NAGAL proteins. As infection, parasite maturation and host interactions are all governed by carefully-regulated glycosylation processes, inhibiting S. mansoni's α-GAL and α-NAGAL activities could lead to the development of novel chemotherapeutics. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of putative α-GAL/α-NAGAL protein types showed Smp_089290 to be the only S. mansoni protein to contain the functional amino acid residues necessary for α-GAL/α-NAGAL substrate cleavage. Both α-GAL and α-NAGAL enzymatic activities were higher in females compared to males (p<0.05; α-NAGAL > α-GAL), which was consistent with smp_089290's female biased expression. Spatial localisation of smp_089290 revealed accumulation in parenchymal cells, neuronal cells, and the vitellaria and mature vitellocytes of the adult schistosome. siRNA-mediated knockdown (>90%) of smp_089290 in adult worms significantly inhibited α-NAGAL activity when compared to control worms (siLuc treated males, p<0.01; siLuc treated females, p<0.05). No significant reductions in α-GAL activities were observed in the same extracts. Despite this, decreases in α-NAGAL activities correlated with a significant inhibition in adult worm motility as well as in egg production. Programmed CRISPR/Cas9 editing of smp_089290 in adult worms confirmed the egg reduction phenotype. Based on these results, Smp_089290 was determined to act predominantly as an α-NAGAL (hereafter termed SmNAGAL) in schistosome parasites where it participates in coordinating movement and oviposition processes. Further characterisation of SmNAGAL and other functionally important glycosyl hydrolases may lead to the development of a novel anthelmintic class of compounds.
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Liu R, Zhong QP, Tang HB, Dong HF. Comparative characterization of microRNAs of Schistosoma japonicum from SCID mice and BALB/c mice: Clues to the regulation of parasite growth and development. Acta Trop 2022; 225:106200. [PMID: 34740636 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused by a parasite with a wide range of mammalian hosts, remains one of the most prevailing parasitic diseases in the world. While numerous studies have reported that the growth and reproduction of schistosomes in immunodeficient mice was significantly retarded, the underlying molecular mechanisms have yet to be revealed. In this study, we comparatively analyzed the microRNA expression of Schistosoma japonicum derived from SCID and BALB/c mice on the 35th day post-infection by high-throughput RNA sequencing as prominent morphological abnormalities had been observed in schistosomes from SCID mice when compared with those from BALB/c mice. The results revealed that more than 72% and 61% of clean reads in the small RNA libraries of female and male schistosomes, respectively, could be mapped to the selected miRs in the miRBase or the sequences of species-specific genomes. Further analysis identified 122 miRNAs using TPM >0.01 as the threshold value, including 75 known and 47 novel miRNAs, 96 of which were commonly expressed across all the four tested schistosome libraries. Comparative analysis of the libraries of schistosomes from SCID and BALB/c mice identified 15 differentially expressed miRNAs (5 up-regulated and 10 down-regulated) among females and 16 among males (9 up-regulated and 7 down-regulated). Integrated analysis of the two sets of differentially expressed miRNAs of female and male worms identified 2 miRNAs (sja-miR-3488 and sja-miR-novel_29) that overlapped between female and male datasets. Prediction of miRNA targets and Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis of the predicted target genes revealed that these genes were involved in some important biological processes, such as nucleic acid metabolic process, macromolecule modification, and cellular aromatic compound metabolic process. The predicted target genes were further matched to the differentially expressed genes in male and female schistosomes from the above two hosts, obtaining 7 genes that may be responsible for regulating the growth, development and sex maturation of schistosomes. Taken together, this study provides the first identification of differentially expressed miRNAs in schistosomes from SCID and BALB/c mice. These miRNAs and their predicted target mRNAs are probably involved in the regulation of development, growth, and maturation of schistosomes. Therefore, this study expands our understanding of schistosome development regulation and host-parasite relationship, and also provides a valuable set of potential anti-schistosomal targets for prevention and control of schistosomiasis.
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Le Clec'h W, Chevalier FD, Mattos ACA, Strickland A, Diaz R, McDew-White M, Rohr CM, Kinung'hi S, Allan F, Webster BL, Webster JP, Emery AM, Rollinson D, Djirmay AG, Al Mashikhi KM, Al Yafae S, Idris MA, Moné H, Mouahid G, LoVerde P, Marchant JS, Anderson TJC. Genetic analysis of praziquantel response in schistosome parasites implicates a transient receptor potential channel. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabj9114. [PMID: 34936381 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj9114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Winka Le Clec'h
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA
| | | | - Ana Carolina A Mattos
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | | | - Robbie Diaz
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA
| | | | - Claudia M Rohr
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Safari Kinung'hi
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Fiona Allan
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNDTR), Imperial College, London, UK.,Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Bonnie L Webster
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNDTR), Imperial College, London, UK.,Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Joanne P Webster
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNDTR), Imperial College, London, UK.,Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases (CEEED), Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, UK
| | - Aidan M Emery
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNDTR), Imperial College, London, UK.,Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - David Rollinson
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNDTR), Imperial College, London, UK.,Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Amadou Garba Djirmay
- Réseau International Schistosomiases Environnemental Aménagement et Lutte (RISEAL), Niamey, Niger.,World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Khalid M Al Mashikhi
- Directorate General of Health Services, Dhofar Governorate, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Salem Al Yafae
- Directorate General of Health Services, Dhofar Governorate, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman
| | | | - Hélène Moné
- Host-Pathogen-Environment Interactions Laboratory, University of Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | - Gabriel Mouahid
- Host-Pathogen-Environment Interactions Laboratory, University of Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | - Philip LoVerde
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jonathan S Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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Lamolle G, Iriarte A, Musto H. Codon usage in the flatworm Schistosoma mansoni is shaped by the mutational bias towards A+T and translational selection, which increases GC-ending codons in highly expressed genes. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 247:111445. [PMID: 34942292 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni is a trematode flatworm that parasitizes humans and produces a disease called bilharzia. At the genomic level, it is characterized by a low genomic GC content and an "isochore-like" structure, where GC-richest regions, mainly placed at the extremes of the chromosomes, are interspersed with low GC-regions. Furthermore, the GC-richest regions are at the same time the gene-richest, and where the most heavily expressed genes are placed. Taking these features into account, we decided to reanalyze the codon usage of this flatworm. Our results show that a) when all genes are considered together, the strong mutational bias towards A + T leads to a predominance of A/T-ending codons, b) a multivariate analysis discriminates between highly and lowly expressed genes, c) the sequences expressed at highest levels display a significant increase in G/C-ending codons, d) when comparing the molecular distances with a closely related species the synonymous distance in highly expressed genes is significantly lower than in lowly expressed sequences. Therefore, we conclude that despite previous results, which were performed with a small sample of genes, codon usage in S. mansoni is the result of two forces that operate in opposite directions: while mutational bias leads to a predominance of A/T codons, translational selection, working at the level of speed, increment G/C ending triplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Lamolle
- Unidad de Genómica Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrés Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Biología Computacional, Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Avenida A. Navarro 3051, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Héctor Musto
- Unidad de Genómica Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Ustyantsev KV, Berezikov EV. Computational analysis of spliced leader trans-splicing in the regenerative flatworm Macrostomum lignano reveals its prevalence in conserved and stem cell related genes. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2021; 25:101-107. [PMID: 34901707 PMCID: PMC8629364 DOI: 10.18699/vj21.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotes, trans-splicing is a process of nuclear pre-mRNA maturation where two different RNA molecules are joined together by the spliceosomal machinery utilizing mechanisms similar to cis-splicing. In diverse taxa of
lower eukaryotes, spliced leader (SL) trans-splicing is the most frequent type of trans-splicing, when the same sequence
derived from short small nuclear RNA molecules, called SL RNAs, is attached to the 5’ ends of different non-processed
pre-mRNAs. One of the functions of SL trans-splicing is processing polycistronic pre-mRNA molecules transcribed from
operons, when several genes are transcribed as one pre-mRNA molecule. However, only a fraction of trans-spliced
genes reside in operons, suggesting that SL trans-splicing must also have some other, less understood functions. Regenerative flatworms are informative model organisms which hold the keys to understand the mechanism of stem
cell regulation and specialization during regeneration and homeostasis. Their ability to regenerate is fueled by the
division and differentiation of the adult somatic stem cell population called neoblasts. Macrostomum lignano is a flatworm model organism where substantial technological advances have been achieved in recent years, including the
development of transgenesis. Although a large fraction of genes in M. lignano were estimated to be SL trans-spliced,
SL trans-splicing was not studied in detail in M. lignano before. Here, we performed the first comprehensive study of
SL trans-splicing in M. lignano. By reanalyzing the existing genome and transcriptome data of M. lignano, we estimate
that 30 % of its genes are SL trans-spliced, 15 % are organized in operons, and almost 40 % are both SL trans-spliced
and in operons. We annotated and characterized the sequence of SL RNA and characterized conserved cis- and SL transsplicing motifs. Finally, we found that a majority of SL trans-spliced genes are evolutionarily conserved and significantly
over-represented in neoblast-specific genes. Our findings suggest an important role of SL trans-splicing in the regulation and maintenance of neoblasts in M. lignano.
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Affiliation(s)
- K V Ustyantsev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - E V Berezikov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Romero AA, Cobb SA, Collins JNR, Kliewer SA, Mangelsdorf DJ, Collins JJ. The Schistosoma mansoni nuclear receptor FTZ-F1 maintains esophageal gland function via transcriptional regulation of meg-8.3. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010140. [PMID: 34910770 PMCID: PMC8673669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes infect over 200 million of the world's poorest people, but unfortunately treatment relies on a single drug. Nuclear hormone receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate diverse processes in metazoans, yet few have been functionally characterized in schistosomes. During a systematic analysis of nuclear receptor function, we found that an FTZ-F1-like receptor was essential for parasite survival. Using a combination of transcriptional profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), we discovered that the micro-exon gene meg-8.3 is a transcriptional target of SmFTZ-F1. We found that both Smftz-f1 and meg-8.3 are required for esophageal gland maintenance as well as integrity of the worm's head. Together, these studies define a new role for micro-exon gene function in the parasite and suggest that factors associated with the esophageal gland could represent viable therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aracely A. Romero
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sarah A. Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Julie N. R. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Steven A. Kliewer
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - David J. Mangelsdorf
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - James J. Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
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Le Clec’h W, Chevalier FD, McDew-White M, Menon V, Arya GA, Anderson TJ. Genetic architecture of transmission stage production and virulence in schistosome parasites. Virulence 2021; 12:1508-1526. [PMID: 34167443 PMCID: PMC8237990 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1932183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Both theory and experimental data from pathogens suggest that the production of transmission stages should be strongly associated with virulence, but the genetic bases of parasite transmission/virulence traits are poorly understood. The blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni shows extensive variation in numbers of cercariae larvae shed and in their virulence to infected snail hosts, consistent with expected trade-offs between parasite transmission and virulence. We crossed schistosomes from two populations that differ 8-fold in cercarial shedding and in their virulence to Biomphalaria glabrata snail hosts, and determined four-week cercarial shedding profiles in F0 parents, F1 parents and 376 F2 progeny from two independent crosses in inbred snails. Sequencing and linkage analysis revealed that cercarial production is polygenic and controlled by five QTLs (i.e. Quantitative Trait Loci). These QTLs act additively, explaining 28.56% of the phenotypic variation. These results demonstrate that the genetic architecture of key traits relevant to schistosome ecology can be dissected using classical linkage mapping approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winka Le Clec’h
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Vinay Menon
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Grace-Ann Arya
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Borvinskaya EV, Kochneva AA, Drozdova PB, Balan OV, Zgoda VG. Temperature-induced reorganisation of Schistocephalus solidus (Cestoda) proteome during the transition to the warm-blooded host. Biol Open 2021; 10:bio058719. [PMID: 34787304 PMCID: PMC8609239 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein composition of the cestode Schistocephalus solidus was measured in an experiment simulating the trophic transmission of the parasite from a cold-blooded to a warm-blooded host. The first hour of host colonisation was studied in a model experiment, in which sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus infected with S. solidus were heated at 40°C for 1 h. As a result, a decrease in the content of one tegument protein was detected in the plerocercoids of S. solidus. Sexual maturation of the parasites was initiated in an experiment where S. solidus larvae were taken from fish and cultured in vitro at 40°C for 48 h. Temperature-independent changes in the parasite proteome were investigated by incubating plerocercoids at 22°C for 48 h in culture medium. Analysis of the proteome allowed us to distinguish the temperature-induced genes of S. solidus, as well as to specify the molecular markers of the plerocercoid and adult worms. The main conclusion of the study is that the key enzymes of long-term metabolic changes (glycogen consumption, protein production, etc.) in parasites during colonisation of a warm-blooded host are induced by temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Albina A. Kochneva
- Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 11 Pushkinskaya Street, 185910 Petrozavodsk, Karelia, Russia
| | - Polina B. Drozdova
- Institute of Biology, Irkutsk State University, 3 Lenin St, 664025 Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Olga V. Balan
- Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 11 Pushkinskaya Street, 185910 Petrozavodsk, Karelia, Russia
| | - Victor G. Zgoda
- Department of Proteomic Research and Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry (IBMC), 10 Pogodinskaya street, 119121 Moscow, Russia
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Harnischfeger J, Beutler M, Salzig D, Rahlfs S, Becker K, Grevelding CG, Czermak P. Biochemical characterization of the recombinant schistosome tegumental protein SmALDH_312 produced in E. coli and baculovirus expression vector system. ELECTRON J BIOTECHN 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Gasan TA, Kuipers ME, Roberts GH, Padalino G, Forde-Thomas JE, Wilson S, Wawrzyniak J, Tukahebwa EM, Hoffmann KF, Chalmers IW. Schistosoma mansoni Larval Extracellular Vesicle protein 1 (SmLEV1) is an immunogenic antigen found in EVs released from pre-acetabular glands of invading cercariae. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009981. [PMID: 34793443 PMCID: PMC8639091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are an integral component of cellular/organismal communication and have been found in the excreted/secreted (ES) products of both protozoan and metazoan parasites. Within the blood fluke schistosomes, EVs have been isolated from egg, schistosomula, and adult lifecycle stages. However, the role(s) that EVs have in shaping aspects of parasite biology and/or manipulating host interactions is poorly defined. Herein, we characterise the most abundant EV-enriched protein in Schistosoma mansoni tissue-migrating schistosomula (Schistosoma mansoni Larval Extracellular Vesicle protein 1 (SmLEV1)). Comparative sequence analysis demonstrates that lev1 orthologs are found in all published Schistosoma genomes, yet homologs are not found outside of the Schistosomatidae. Lifecycle expression analyses collectively reveal that smlev1 transcription peaks in cercariae, is male biased in adults, and is processed by alternative splicing in intra-mammalian lifecycle stages. Immunohistochemistry of cercariae using a polyclonal anti-recombinant SmLEV1 antiserum localises this protein to the pre-acetabular gland, with some disperse localisation to the surface of the parasite. S. mansoni-infected Ugandan fishermen exhibit a strong IgG1 response against SmLEV1 (dropping significantly after praziquantel treatment), with 11% of the cohort exhibiting an IgE response and minimal levels of detectable antigen-specific IgG4. Furthermore, mice vaccinated with rSmLEV1 show a slightly reduced parasite burden upon challenge infection and significantly reduced granuloma volumes, compared with control animals. Collectively, these results describe SmLEV1 as a Schistosomatidae-specific, EV-enriched immunogen. Further investigations are now necessary to uncover the full extent of SmLEV1's role in shaping schistosome EV function and definitive host relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A. Gasan
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Marije E. Kuipers
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Grisial H. Roberts
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Gilda Padalino
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Josephine E. Forde-Thomas
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Shona Wilson
- University of Cambridge, Department of Pathology, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jakub Wawrzyniak
- University of Cambridge, Department of Pathology, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Iain W. Chalmers
- Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
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Faheem M, Fonseca Valadares N, Brandão-Neto J, Bellini D, Collins P, Pearce NM, Bird L, Roberta Torini J, Owens R, DMuniz Pereira H, Von Delft F, Barbosa JARG. Crystallographic approach to fragment-based hit discovery against Schistosoma mansoni purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Biochem J 2021; 478:3655-70. [PMID: 34529035 DOI: 10.1042/BCJ20210041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Several Schistosoma species cause Schistosomiasis, an endemic disease in 78 countries that is ranked second amongst the parasitic diseases in terms of its socioeconomic impact and human health importance. The drug recommended for treatment by the WHO is praziquantel (PZQ), but there are concerns associated with PZQ, such as the lack of information about its exact mechanism of action, its high price, its effectiveness - which is limited to the parasite's adult form - and reports of resistance. The parasites lack the de novo purine pathway, rendering them dependent on the purine salvage pathway or host purine bases for nucleotide synthesis. Thus, the Schistosoma purine salvage pathway is an attractive target for the development of necessary and selective new drugs. In this study, the purine nucleotide phosphorylase II (PNP2), a new isoform of PNP1, was submitted to a high-throughput fragment-based hit discovery using a crystallographic screening strategy. PNP2 was crystallized and crystals were soaked with 827 fragments, a subset of the Maybridge 1000 library. X-ray diffraction data was collected and structures were solved. Out of 827-screened fragments we have obtained a total of 19 fragments that show binding to PNP2. Fourteen of these fragments bind to the active site of PNP2, while five were observed in three other sites. Here we present the first fragment screening against PNP2.
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Liu G, Jiang H, Sun W, Zhang J, Chen D, Murchie AIH. The function of twister ribozyme variants in non-LTR retrotransposition in Schistosoma mansoni. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:10573-10588. [PMID: 34551436 PMCID: PMC8501958 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The twister ribozyme is widely distributed over numerous organisms and is especially abundant in Schistosoma mansoni, but has no confirmed biological function. Of the 17 non-LTR retrotransposons known in S. mansoni, none have thus far been associated with ribozymes. Here we report the identification of novel twister variant (T-variant) ribozymes and their function in S. mansoni non-LTR retrotransposition. We show that T-variant ribozymes are located at the 5′ end of Perere-3 non-LTR retrotransposons in the S. mansoni genome. T-variant ribozymes were demonstrated to be catalytically active in vitro. In reporter constructs, T-variants were shown to cleave in vivo, and cleavage of T-variants was sufficient for the translation of downstream reporter genes. Our analysis shows that the T-variants and Perere-3 are transcribed together. Target site duplications (TSDs); markers of target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT) and footmarks of retrotransposition, are located adjacent to the T-variant cleavage site and suggest that T-variant cleavage has taken place inS. mansoni. Sequence heterogeneity in the TSDs indicates that Perere-3 retrotransposition is not site-specific. The TSD sequences contribute to the 5′ end of the terminal ribozyme helix (P1 stem). Based on these results we conclude that T-variants have a functional role in Perere-3 retrotransposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getong Liu
- Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hengyi Jiang
- Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenxia Sun
- Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Dongrong Chen
- Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Alastair I H Murchie
- Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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Stitz M, Chaparro C, Lu Z, Olzog VJ, Weinberg CE, Blom J, Goesmann A, Grunau C, Grevelding CG. Satellite-Like W-Elements: Repetitive, Transcribed, and Putative Mobile Genetic Factors with Potential Roles for Biology and Evolution of Schistosoma mansoni. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6361599. [PMID: 34469545 PMCID: PMC8490949 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A large portion of animal and plant genomes consists of noncoding DNA. This part includes tandemly repeated sequences and gained attention because it offers exciting insights into genome biology. We investigated satellite-DNA elements of the platyhelminth Schistosoma mansoni, a parasite with remarkable biological features. Schistosoma mansoni lives in the vasculature of humans causing schistosomiasis, a disease of worldwide importance. Schistosomes are the only trematodes that have evolved separate sexes, and the sexual maturation of the female depends on constant pairing with the male. The schistosome karyotype comprises eight chromosome pairs, males are homogametic (ZZ) and females are heterogametic (ZW). Part of the repetitive DNA of S. mansoni are W-elements (WEs), originally discovered as female-specific satellite DNAs in the heterochromatic block of the W-chromosome. Based on new genome and transcriptome data, we performed a reanalysis of the W-element families (WEFs). Besides a new classification of 19 WEFs, we provide first evidence for stage-, sex-, pairing-, gonad-, and strain-specific/preferential transcription of WEs as well as their mobile nature, deduced from autosomal copies of full-length and partial WEs. Structural analyses suggested roles as sources of noncoding RNA-like hammerhead ribozymes, for which we obtained functional evidence. Finally, the variable WEF occurrence in different schistosome species revealed remarkable divergence. From these results, we propose that WEs potentially exert enduring influence on the biology of S. mansoni. Their variable occurrence in different strains, isolates, and species suggests that schistosome WEs may represent genetic factors taking effect on variability and evolution of the family Schistosomatidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Stitz
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- IHPE, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Zhigang Lu
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | | | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Alexander Goesmann
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, CNRS, IFREMER, UPVD, University Montpellier, Perpignan, France
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El-Shehabi F, Mansour B, Bayoumi WA, El Bialy SA, Elmorsy MA, Eisa HM, Taman A. Homology modelling, molecular dynamics simulation and docking evaluation of β-tubulin of Schistosoma mansoni. Biophys Chem 2021; 278:106660. [PMID: 34482215 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2021.106660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected diseases causing considerable morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Microtubules with its main component, tubulin play a vital role in helminthes including schistosomes. Benzimidazoles represent potential drug candidates by binding β-tubulin. The study aimed to generate a homology model for the β-tubulin of S. mansoni using the crystal structure of O visaries (Sheep) β-tubulin (PDB ID: 3N2G D) as a template, then different β-tubulin models were generated and two previously reported benzimidazole derivatives (NBTP-F and NBTP-OH) were docked to the generated models, the binding results indicated that both S. mansoni, S. haematobium were susceptible to the two NBTP derivatives. Additionally, three mutated versions of S. mansoni β-tubulin wild-type were generated and the mutation (F185Y) seems to slightly enhance the ligand binding. Dynamics simulation experiments showed S. haematobium β-tubulin is highly susceptible to the tested compounds; similar to S. mansoni, moreover, mutated models of S. mansoni β-tubulin altered its NBTPs susceptibility. Moreover, additional seven new benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized and tested by molecular docking on the generated model binding site of S. mansoni β-tubulin and were found to have good interaction inside the pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fouad El-Shehabi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13115, Jordan
| | - Basem Mansour
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa City 11152, Mansoura, Egypt.
| | - Waleed A Bayoumi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa City 11152, Mansoura, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Serry A El Bialy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mohammad A Elmorsy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa City 11152, Mansoura, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Hassan M Eisa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Amira Taman
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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Silveira GO, Amaral MS, Coelho HS, Maciel LF, Pereira ASA, Olberg GGO, Miyasato PA, Nakano E, Verjovski-Almeida S. Assessment of reference genes at six different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni for quantitative RT-PCR. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16816. [PMID: 34413342 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96055-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the most used, fast, and reproducible method to confirm large-scale gene expression data. The use of stable reference genes for the normalization of RT-qPCR assays is recognized worldwide. No systematic study for selecting appropriate reference genes for usage in RT-qPCR experiments comparing gene expression levels at different Schistosoma mansoni life-cycle stages has been performed. Most studies rely on genes commonly used in other organisms, such as actin, tubulin, and GAPDH. Therefore, the present study focused on identifying reference genes suitable for RT-qPCR assays across six S. mansoni developmental stages. The expression levels of 25 novel candidates that we selected based on the analysis of public RNA-Seq datasets, along with eight commonly used reference genes, were systematically tested by RT-qPCR across six developmental stages of S. mansoni (eggs, miracidia, cercariae, schistosomula, adult males and adult females). The stability of genes was evaluated with geNorm, NormFinder and RefFinder algorithms. The least stable candidate reference genes tested were actin, tubulin and GAPDH. The two most stable reference genes suitable for RT-qPCR normalization were Smp_101310 (Histone H4 transcription factor) and Smp_196510 (Ubiquitin recognition factor in ER-associated degradation protein 1). Performance of these two genes as normalizers was successfully evaluated with females maintained unpaired or paired to males in culture for 8 days, or with worm pairs exposed for 16 days to double-stranded RNAs to silence a protein-coding gene. This study provides reliable reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis using samples from six different S. mansoni life-cycle stages.
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McManus DP. The Search for a Schistosomiasis Vaccine: Australia's Contribution. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9080872. [PMID: 34451997 PMCID: PMC8402410 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, results in considerable human morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, but also parts of the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia. The anti-schistosome drug praziquantel is efficacious and safe against the adult parasites of all Schistosoma species infecting humans; however, it does not prevent reinfection and the development of drug resistance is a constant concern. The need to develop an effective vaccine is of great importance if the health of many in the developing world is to be improved. Indeed, vaccination, in combination with other public health measures, can provide an invaluable tool to achieve lasting control, leading to schistosomiasis elimination. Australia has played a leading role in schistosomiasis vaccine research over many years and this review presents an overview of some of the significant contributions made by Australian scientists in this important area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, Australia
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Berger DJ, Crellen T, Lamberton PHL, Allan F, Tracey A, Noonan JD, Kabatereine NB, Tukahebwa EM, Adriko M, Holroyd N, Webster JP, Berriman M, Cotton JA. Whole-genome sequencing of Schistosoma mansoni reveals extensive diversity with limited selection despite mass drug administration. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4776. [PMID: 34362894 PMCID: PMC8346512 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24958-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Control and elimination of the parasitic disease schistosomiasis relies on mass administration of praziquantel. Whilst these programmes reduce infection prevalence and intensity, their impact on parasite transmission and evolution is poorly understood. Here we examine the genomic impact of repeated mass drug administration on Schistosoma mansoni populations with documented reduced praziquantel efficacy. We sequenced whole-genomes of 198 S. mansoni larvae from 34 Ugandan children from regions with contrasting praziquantel exposure. Parasites infecting children from Lake Victoria, a transmission hotspot, form a diverse panmictic population. A single round of treatment did not reduce this diversity with no apparent population contraction caused by long-term praziquantel use. We find evidence of positive selection acting on members of gene families previously implicated in praziquantel action, but detect no high frequency functionally impactful variants. As efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis intensify, our study provides a foundation for genomic surveillance of this major human parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan J Berger
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK.
- Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, UK.
| | - Thomas Crellen
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
- Imperial College London, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London, UK
- Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Poppy H L Lamberton
- Imperial College London, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London, UK
- Institute for Biodiversity, Animal Health, and Comparative Medicine, and Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Fiona Allan
- The Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, London, UK
| | - Alan Tracey
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Jennifer D Noonan
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Narcis B Kabatereine
- Vector Borne & Neglected Tropical Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edridah M Tukahebwa
- Vector Borne & Neglected Tropical Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Moses Adriko
- Vector Borne & Neglected Tropical Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nancy Holroyd
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Joanne P Webster
- Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, UK.
- Imperial College London, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London, UK.
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK.
| | - James A Cotton
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK.
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Pinto-Almeida A, Mendes TMF, Ferreira P, Abecasis AB, Belo S, Anibal FF, Allegretti SM, Galinaro CA, Carrilho E, Afonso A. A Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Praziquantel-Susceptible and Praziquantel-Resistant Schistosoma mansoni Reveals Distinct Response Between Male and Female Animals. Front Trop Dis 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.664642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a chronic neglected tropical disease saddling millions of people in the world, mainly children living in poor rural areas. Praziquantel (PZQ) is currently the only drug used for the treatment and control of this disease. However, the extensive use of this drug has brought concern about the emergence of PZQ-resistance/tolerance by Schistosoma mansoni. Studies of Schistosoma spp. genome, transcriptome, and proteome are crucial to better understand this situation. In this in vitro study, we compare the proteomes of a S. mansoni variant strain stably resistant to PZQ and isogenic to its fully susceptible parental counterpart, identifying proteins from male and female adult parasites of PZQ-resistant and PZQ-susceptible strains, exposed and not exposed to PZQ. A total of 60 Schistosoma spp. proteins were identified, some of which present or absent in either strain, which may putatively be involved in the PZQ-resistance phenomenon. These proteins were present in adult parasites not exposed to PZQ, but some of them disappeared when these adult parasites were exposed to the drug. Understanding the development of PZQ-resistance in S. mansoni is crucial to prolong the efficacy of the current drug and develop markers for monitoring the potential emergence of drug resistance.
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Hagerty JR, Kim HC, Jolly ER. Multiomic analysis of Schistosoma mansoni reveals unique expression profiles in cercarial heads and tails. Commun Biol 2021; 4:860. [PMID: 34253841 PMCID: PMC8275615 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02366-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes require both molluscan and mammalian hosts for development. The larval cercaria exits the snail host and swims to identify and invade the mammalian host. The cercaria has two macrostructures, the head and the tail. The head invades the host, where it matures into an adult worm. The tail is lost after host invasion. Translation in the cercaria differs in each macrostructure, with higher levels of translation in the cercarial tail and little to no translational activity in the cercarial head. We compared the transcriptome and proteome of the cercarial head and tail and observed stark differences between the two macrostructures. We identified unique and differentially expressed transcripts and proteins, including ribosomal components expressed in higher levels in tails than in heads, which may explain the differences in translation levels between heads and tails. We also characterized the weak correlation between transcription and translation in infectious cercarial heads and tails.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Hagerty
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biology, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Hyung Chul Kim
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biology, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Emmitt R Jolly
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biology, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Global Health and Disease, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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